Whether you own or rent your home, it is important that you take certain measures to secure your private living space and ensure the safety of you and everyone else in it.

While it is understandable to be a bit apprehensive at the thought of having to spend excessive amounts of money on home security, what many don’t realize is that security equipment and devices are so much more inexpensive than they have ever been.

However, it is surely not beyond your reach to purchase a simple padlock no matter what your financial capabilities are. There is such a wide array of home security burglar alarms and equipment available that can fit any household’s needs and budget ranging from simple locks to more sophisticated wireless cameras and even biometric equipment for allowing only the most specific people access to your protected abode.

While locks and latches may be the most logical first step to securing you and your loved ones, a great way to deter would-be burglars and vandals is to have a visible home security cctv monitoring system installed. A good way to alert potential thieves and intruders and make them aware that your property is being protected and monitor is to make sure that your cctv cameras are installed in plain site.

In some cases, a simple sign indicating that the premises utilizes a security camera network will be a good enough deterrent. Of course it is always better to prepare for the worst, and the technology has greatly dropped in prices, making it much more affordable as a home protection option for even the average consumer.

There are both wired and wireless version that you can choose to install. Wireless versions though, are much easier to reposition around the home or office, and making it simpler to configure and install, moving them around with ease.

Although there has been a significant drop in prices, it never hurts to be practical with your purchases, and it is important that you get the best that you are paying for. Before you go shopping for the pieces that will make up your home security solution, you can go online to home security comparison sites and compare and contrast between security equipment that are out there.

This will ensure that you make an educated purchase instead of potentially wasting your hard-earned money on equipment that may be too expensive for the job that you need them to do. While you have the option to have your home security system professionally installed, you can save tons of money if you install it yourself.

What about Home Security Camera Systems?

For years businesses tried to protect themselves by employing guards to patrol their premises — and their presence was a crime deterrent.

Years ago affluent homeowners might hire a security service to drive by their homes several times a night, perhaps flashing a spotlight around the exterior of the home.

As technology advanced, these systems were replaced with elaborate security systems that wired your home and sent a signal to a security company some miles away. The system was good – but it was also very expensive!

Today, however, security cameras have become the main instrument used in deterring crime. And, because of the low cost, they can be employed by both the wealthy and those of us who don’t quite fit that category!

Modern surveillance cameras are available in a wide spectrum of sizes and shapes.

You can also purchase security cameras that are wired to a power source, or unwired.

Because digital video cameras are now much smaller than the previous generation’s camcorders, wired surveillance cameras are frequently fitted inside innocent background items

For a surveillance camera might be fitted into a smoke detector, hidden inside a clock, or be placed inside stereo speakers. Wired cameras can literally be positioned in almost anything you choose — making them a valuable piece of your security system.

The beauty of the camouflage is that no intruder will suspect he is being photographed.

On the other hand, wireless security systems are ideal for monitoring remote locations and the picture can be broadcast over the internet. How so?

It’s really simple: The wireless camera is set up to transmit a video signal through a LAN, or local area network, where it is uploaded onto an IP address.

If that is confusing to you, don’t worry about it.

The bottom line is you can actually monitor your property online. You can sit at your kitchen table in Chicago or Boise — and view your vacation villa in Cozumel. In real time!

Wireless security cameras come with motion detectors that will activate the camera only when movement is detected. The slightest motion will trigger the camera to begin a video recording.

Wireless security systems generally use batteries to operate. A typical 9 volt battery will provide about 10 to 12 hours of juice.

In the old days cameras recorded onto film. This film had to be regularly changed and stored, or put back in to be recorded over.

Not so anymore.

Modern home security cameras will store video on a computer. The videos can be stored as data files and kept either on a hard drive or transferred to disc.

It is true that security systems have been used for a couple of generations. But as the industry keeps making new advances in electronic technologies, and products they produce become less and less expensive, the modern day home security systems can truly be used by anyone, anywhere.

Perhaps you are ready to join the millions who already feel their families and homes are much more secure because they have purchased and installed a home security system.

Home security systems with cameras are manufactured by many different companies and come in a wide array of prices.

Some are extremely sophisticated, while others are quite simple.

Do your research before you decide on the best system for your home.

Today even the least expensive models are still way ahead of systems produced ten to fifteen years ago!

They even make “false security cameras” that are designed to have small flashing lights that should fool would-be robbers. These don’t provide real security, but they are priced so cheaply, that even this is better than nothing.